The Unscripted Soundscape of Aarhus: No Formal Music Policy, Yet the City Thrives as a Beacon of Cultural Energy

written by idkblanco | 5 min read

Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, has long been celebrated as a vibrant hub for music and cultural innovation. For those seeking insights into successful music policy frameworks, Aarhus serves as a great study, despite not having their own music policy/strategy per se. The music city’s profile offers a rich tapestry of both rhetorical commitments and concrete institutional strategies that together empower the local music industry.

A Vision of Culture as Welfare

At the heart of Aarhus’s cultural strategy lies a profound belief that “culture is welfare”. This idea permeates the city’s policy documents, positioning music not only as an artistic expression but also as a critical economic driver and a means to foster social cohesion. As the profile states,

“Aarhus has always been home to a diverse music scene with venues, organisers, festivals, recording studios, industry players, orchestras and ensembles, rehearsal and production facilities and, not least, performing musicians and composers…”

This statement underscores a commitment to nurturing an ecosystem where both established talents and emerging artists can thrive, ultimately contributing to a richer quality of life for all residents.

Institutional Commitments and Governance Structures

Aarhus’s approach to music policy is underpinned by a robust institutional framework. The city has established dedicated councils and committees – such as the Music Council, Arts Council, and Visual Arts Council – to ensure that funding decisions are made by field experts. These bodies not only administer various funding programmes but also provide strategic advice to the City Council. This framework is complemented by the permanent cultural committee, which plays a crucial role in overseeing the allocation of resources and the implementation of cultural strategies.

Central to this institutional structure is Promus, the city’s music community and networking centre, established in 2010. Promus serves as a vital bridge between the established music business and emerging talent. Its initiatives, including mentoring programmes, the Publishing Academy, and the Promus Sync Academy, directly address the needs of the “growth layers” – young and emerging musicians who are critical for sustaining the future of the industry. This institutional commitment is clearly designed to ensure that young artists remain in Aarhus, countering the potential brain drain to larger cities like Copenhagen.

Financial Commitments and Quantitative Impact

Aarhus backs its policy rhetoric with substantial financial investments. The national Music Action Plan 2023–2026, for instance, commits DKK 224.7 million (approximately EUR 29.2 million) to the music sector – a notable 42% increase from the previous period according to Virgo Sillamaa’s findings. On the municipal level, dedicated funding rounds for music projects demonstrate tangible support for the industry. In 2024 alone, 280 applications were received, with a success rate exceeding 50%, resulting in an allocation of DKK 2.3 million for projects that span from idea development to full-scale implementation.

The economic significance of music in Aarhus is further illustrated by key statistics: in 2016, the primary music business turnover stood at approximately DKK 1.8 billion (around EUR 234 million), and by 2022 the sector was generating a gross added value of nearly DKK 1,968 million. These quantitative figures validate the extensive financial and policy support provided to the music industry.

Lydbyen: Shaping the Future of Music Production

A critical pillar of Aarhus’s forward-looking vision is Lydbyen – also known as Sound City. Situated in the evolving South Harbour district, Lydbyen is set to become Denmark’s pre-eminent hotspot for music production, with a particular focus on audiovisual media sectors. This ambitious project epitomises the city’s commitment to transforming its urban landscape into a dynamic hub for innovation and creative collaboration.

Lydbyen is not merely about creating state-of-the-art facilities; it represents an integrated approach to urban and cultural regeneration. By fostering close partnerships between the music industry, local businesses, and public institutions, Lydbyen aims to bolster Aarhus’s international profile while providing robust support for local artists and entrepreneurs. This initiative, strategically pursued by Promus, reinforces the city’s dedication to nurturing talent and retaining creative minds, ensuring that Aarhus remains at the cutting edge of the music industry.

Holistic Urban and Cultural Integration

Aarhus’s cultural strategy, encapsulated in the document “Aarhus – Culture in our Heart, our Eyes on the World”, positions culture as central to the city’s broader developmental goals. The strategy outlines six key themes, with the notion of a “strong foundation” emphasising the need for robust institutional support. This vision is not only about maintaining a high-quality artistic environment but also about harnessing the power of culture to drive urban development, economic growth, and social inclusion.

Also, initiatives such as the Music City Aarhus 2022 project highlight the city’s commitment to using music as a catalyst for wider societal benefits. By forging strong partnerships between cultural institutions, local businesses, and governmental bodies, Aarhus demonstrates how a well-coordinated music policy can elevate a city’s international profile and enhance its domestic quality of life.

A Blueprint in Music Policy success

Aarhus provides a compelling case study in how integrated music policy – combining visionary rhetoric with robust institutional and financial commitments – can transform a city’s cultural landscape. For policymakers, the Aarhus model offers valuable lessons in nurturing a sustainable, inclusive, and economically vibrant music ecosystem. By prioritising both the artistic and economic dimensions of music, Aarhus not only secures its reputation as Denmark’s music city but also sets a benchmark for the role of culture in urban development.